Getting Help and Keeping Your Career Intact in the Armed Forces
Will the military know if I went to rehab? Well, yes and no. It depends on your status in the Armed Forces as well as how and where treatment is received.
If you are trying to enlist in the military, you will have to grant access to your medical records (to the military, we mean). Since medical records are confidential, your authorization is necessary to release them to a third party – i.e., the Department of Defense (DoD).
If you are active duty personnel, your medical records and rehab history are already accessible to the military. Hence, if you go for rehab treatment, it shows to the active duty military personnel that you are treating a substance use disorder (SUD) or alcohol abuse disorder.
At South Shores Detox and Recovery, we believe in the power of honesty and being upfront. Lying on your application or denying substance abuse treatment to the military could lead to disqualification. However, being upfront and demonstrating that you are safely, and healthily, free from illicit drug use is the best option. Let’s dive a little deeper!
Will the Military Know If I Went to Rehab?
Let’s get straight to the main question: does the military know if you go to rehab for substance or other serious drug and alcohol abuse treatment?
If you attend drug and alcohol rehab, it will go on your health records. However, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) keeps your medical records confidential. Based on the Privacy Rule of HIPAA, your information remains protected and only flows to relevant authorities. That too, happens only under certain conditions.
Now, when you apply to enlist in the military, it requires information regarding your medical history to gather relevant health information. So, when you authorize the flow of protected health information (PHI) to other military personnel, they have access to your medical records. Hence, they may know you went to drug rehab in this context.
While military members on the medical staff will have access, they still can’t disclose your information to the recruiter, commanding officer, or other staff without your permission. However, a past substance abuse disorder will most likely appear on your health record.
What If There is a Criminal Record?
If the substance use or drug abuse leads to criminal behavior – let’s say, a DUI offense – the military can access that information during a background check. Since the military can access criminal records, it could learn about your SUDs or alcohol abuse disorders even if you deny access to health records.
Here’s an example: if a person got arrested for a crime such as disorderly conduct due to substance or alcohol abuse, it will go on their criminal record. Hence, the military will find out about an individual’s drug use disorder. Furthermore, the sentence for such a crime could include participation in a rehab program. In that case, the military would again have access to this information.
Can You Deny the Military Access to Health Records?
Another question that might be worrying you is whether you can deny the military access to your medical records. Yes, you can deny access based on the rules and regulations of HIPAA – mentioned earlier.
But it is important to know that your substance use disorder could be on your medical record from other practitioners, like a family doctor, for example. In those cases, even if the rehab center isn’t disclosing your record of attendance, your SUD record could appear on medical records elsewhere.
Can the Military See If I Go to Rehab?
As we discussed earlier, the military does not have direct access to your rehab records. This is unless you specifically provide them as part of your disclosed medical history. Your PHI, including substance abuse and addiction treatment, is always under protection by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
So, unless you are choosing to share your alcohol rehab history with military officials or recruiters, it will remain private. In addition, the military can review your medical records for relevant information. Despite that, your rehab involvement might not appear on these records when you’re applying to enlist.
During active duty, if you unfortunately face struggles with substance abuse and require other treatment options, like mental health services or medication-assisted treatment, this information could come under notice.
Will Going to Rehab Impact Military Service or Enlistment?
Yes, a history of drug abuse disorders and relevant treatment could impact your enlistment – or re-enlistment – in different ways. We say different ways because each branch of the military has its own criteria for evaluating past drug addiction, treatment, and recruiting, as you may have experienced when trying to enlist.
It is important that we mention the impact of a stable mental health status and successful recovery. While a history of frequent relapses and ongoing mental health treatment reflect poorly on a candidate’s eligibility.
On the other hand, a successful recovery with little to no relapses may have a positive impact on your enlistment or re-enlistment application. Furthermore, if you can demonstrate a healthier and more stable mental health condition, showing that you no longer need continuous treatment and support, can also influence the outcome positively.
Can Rehab or SUD Treatment Affect Military Eligibility?
Yes, it could lead to disqualifications. If you go to rehab or receive treatment for substance use disorders, you could end up with a rejected application or suspension from active duty. However, it depends on several factors, which include some of the following:
Severity and Duration of Your Disorder
How long did the SUD persist? Did it cause serious mental health issues afterward, like mental health challenges that necessitate ongoing treatment or frequent relapses? If the seriousness raises questions about your reliability and stability in military service, the general guidelines might allow the military staff to disqualify your application.
Recency of Rehab Participation and Treatment
How long ago was it? When was the last treatment? Have you been in a stable state without relapses, or since your last relapse? If so, then how long has been the case? Immediate recency could be a red flag during the evaluation period.
Evidence of Criminal Record
If alcohol or substance abuse leads to criminal behavior, it could negatively impact your eligibility. Take the following criminal behavior for example:
- Driving under influence
- Disorderly conduct
- Public intoxication
- Drug possession
- Theft and assault
Although you may face challenges in meeting the military’s health requirements, you should focus on being transparent and honest. If you can prove that you are in a recoverable and stable state, then the chances of resuming active duty or getting enlisted are better.
Moving Toward Recovery and a Military Career, One Step at a Time
So, the military will not automatically know if you went to rehab. Your health records and PHI are confidential under the HIPAA regulations. However, your substance abuse treatment or ongoing mental health services could show up elsewhere on medical records. Usually, the military find out from other practitioners like your family doctor.
Moreover, you have the right to disclose your drug tests and rehab history. For instance, you might do that if it is relevant to your current mental health. But by demonstrating that illicit drug use is no longer a problem in your life, you significantly improve your chances of acceptance.
Let us help you at South Shores Detox & Recovery in Orange County, Southern California. With compassionate care and personalized treatment options, you can be on your path to a substance-free life. At our welcoming rehab facility, we offer you the counseling you need to pursue a military career.